Early Saturday, accounts surfaced of major explosions rocking Tehran, following statements from Israeli officials that it had carried out a preemptive military action.
Powerful Explosions and Smoke Witnessed in Central Tehran
As per eyewitness accounts, two loud blasts were audible in the city on Saturday morning. Simultaneously, two plumes of thick smoke were observed rising over the centre and east of the Iranian capital.
“The nature of these blasts indicates that this is a missile attack,” one news agency reported, though it did not immediately provide further details.
Context: Rising Tensions and Recent Events
The incident takes place against a background of severely escalated strains in the region. Key events leading up to this strike involve:
- US Military Buildup: A massive buildup of US naval forces in the Middle East, featuring the movement of carrier strike groups.
- Nuclear Talks: Recent discussions between the US and Iran on Tehran's atomic program concluded without a deal, with suggestions of more discussions planned.
- Public Statements: Before the strike, a senior US official had described Iran as “the world’s number one sponsor of terror” and delivered threats regarding its weapons development.
- Ultimatum: Allegedly, a deadline of 10 to 15 days had been presented to Iran to settle the atomic standoff or confront severe consequences.
Iranian Response
In response to earlier allegations, Iranian authorities had accused the US of spreading “falsehoods” about its missiles programme. They dismissed claims about missile development and protest deaths as baseless.
The situation is fluid, with additional reports expected as the situation develops.
